Hieam l



(No Model.)

H. L. HOPKINS.

STEAM ENGINE. No. 361,063. Patented Apr. 12, 1887.

N, FEYERS, FHnln-Lilbogmphcr, Wnhinglon. D, C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM L. HOPKINS, on HoMEE, MIC IGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF To L. A. BRYAN, 0E SAME PLACE.

STEAM-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,063, dated April 12, 1887.

. Application filed September 30, 1886. Serial No. 214,962. (No model.).

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM L. HOPKINS, of Homer, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Steam-Engines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in steam-engines.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means for reversing the motion when desired, whereby expense of construction is materially reduced, friction largely overcome, and efliciency and certainty of operation obtained. 1

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the various parts and their combination, as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein my invention is shown in elevation, I represents the frame, J the cylinder, L the slides, M the shaft N the crank, O the eccentric, and K the steam-chest, of a horizontal engine, all of the usual construction.

A is the eccentric-rod, attached at one end I to the link B, which is secured to one end of the rock-shaft a, which is supported in suitable journal-boxes. p

F is a sliding box or clamp adapted to rock or slide upon the link, and is provided with gib and setscrew 1) for adjusting. To this clamp Fis attached the connectingrod O, the other end being pivotally secured to the valvestem P, as shown. The pitman E is also con nected to the clamp at one end, while the other end is connected with the lever D, which lever is fulcru-med on the standard S, which also serves to guide the valve-stem P, as shown.

G is a ratchet, with which the spring-catch K of the lever D engages. By moving the lever D to different points on the ratchet any desired length of stroke can be given to the valve. When the lever D is engaged with the lowest notch of the ratchet, the motion will be in one direction. To reverse, the lever D is engaged with the upper notch in the ratchet, and a like engagement with the center notch cuts off steam. When reversed, the slidingclamp will be found at the bottom of the link.

WVhat I claim as my invention is The combination, in the reversing-gear of a steam-engine and with the eccentric thereof, of the rod A, connected directly with said eccentric, the rock-shaft a, the link B, pivoted at its center on said rock-shaft and connected at one end directly to said rod, adjustable slid- 'ing clamp F on the other end of said link, standard S, connecting-rod G, and valvestem P, pivoted together at their adjacent ends and guided by said standard, and the other end of said rod connected directly to said clamp, pitman E, connected atone end directly with said clamp, and the lever D, fulcrumed on said standard,with one end connected directly with the end of the pitman, all substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

H. L. HOPKINS.

Witnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE, OHAELEs J. HUNT. 

